Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (transitional or native-type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. High heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 50-55°F.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing mat-forming grass. It is bright to dark green during active growth, turning tan/brown during winter dormancy. Features flat blades and a distinctive finger-like (digitate) seed head often consisting of 3 to 7 spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, sharply pointed tips, gray-green to dark green. Folded vernation in bud. Ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent. Visible hairs often present on the leaf sheath and collar.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with both underground rhizomes and surface stolons. Very high thatch tendency; fast establishment; excellent drought tolerance and rapid wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones globally
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and Rhizomatous (highly aggressive spreading)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8+ hours), poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; highly drought tolerant; thrives in well-drained soils with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.0 to 2.5 inches height; frequent mowing required (1-2 times per week). High fertilization needs (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year). Requires periodic dethatching and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic tolerance and self-repairing ability. High salt tolerance. Susceptible to Large Patch (Rhizoctonia) and Spring Dead Spot. Extremely effective at crowding out weeds when healthy.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in the US. Provides nesting cover for small birds but can be highly invasive in garden beds and native landscapes. Excellent for soil stabilization and preventing erosion.